Tie forming mechanism



Aug. 30, 1932. M. HARVEY TIE FORMING MECHANISM -4 Sheets-Shet 1 FiledMay 1, 1929 Aug. 30, 1932.

L. M. HARVEY TIE FORMING MECHANI SM Filed May 1, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1gwue'nto'o Lea M Harvey Aug. 30, 1932. L. M. HARVEY T IE FORMINGMECHANISM Filed May 1, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug 30, 1932PATENT OFFICE LEO M. HARVEY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TIEFORMINGMECHANISM Application filed May 1, 1929. Serial No. 359,588.

This invention relates to a machine for forming ties in the overlappingends of binding straps. Such straps are used to a large extent as tiesfor bales, boxes or other articles. Machines have been devised forproducing ties in box straps, but these machines have generally beencomplicated and include mechanism for handling the box and presentingit, with the strap in position, to the tieforming mechanism. Thisnecessitates a large and cumbersome machine which is costly tomanufacture and which can not readily be adapted to operate upon boxesof different sizes.

The general object of this invention is to produce a small, portable,compact mechanism which can be readily put in position at the pointwhere the tie is to be formed, and which can be readily operated by handto produce the tie. In this connection it should e understood, however,that these straps are formed of steel and it requires considerableenergy to bend or offset the metal to form the tie.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide the mechanism withsimple and compact means for giving the operator of the machinesufiicient leverage to produce a tie which, under ordinarycircumstances, would require a powerful machine to form.

While I do not limit myself in the present specification and claims tomechanism adapted to form any particular kind of tie, I prefer to employdies, or jaws, which will form a tie of the characteristic type setforth in my Patent No. 1,677.522, issued July 17 1928.

It has been the general practice in machines for forming ties in metalstraps to form the tie in overlapped ends of the strap or band, and thedies operate upon metal which is in tension. This tends to tear the edgeof the metal where the tie is formed.

One of the objectsof my invention is to construct the mechanism withmeans for enabling the tie to be formed in overlapped portions of thestrap which are not in tension.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for thispurpose having simple means for automaticallyfacilitating theapplication of the tension to the strap before the dies or jaws form thetie, and also to provide automatic means for cutting off the loose endof the strap so that the cuttingoi'f operation is effected incidentallyto the movements which set the jaws in position and operate them.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combinations of parts tobe described1 hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce anefiicient tie forming mechanism.

A preferred embodiment of the inventionis described in the followingspecification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings:

. Figure 1 is a section taken on a vertical plane through the lowerportion of the machine, and also showing the overlapped ends of thebinding strap in position to have the tie .formed. The mechanism of themachine is shown in a position of rest with the tieforming jawswithdrawn from their working position. In other words, the actuatingportions of the machine are represented as swung back to occupy aposition which opens up the part of the machine that receives theoverlapping ends of the strap.

Figure 2 is a perspective showing the lower portion of the machine, theupper portion being broken away. This view shows the illustrated partsof the machine in position ready for'the jaws to form the tie butrepresents the .machine with the tension device removed from themachine.

Figure 3 is a vertical sect-ion through the lower portion of the machinetaken on the side remote from the observer in Figure 1.

This view is upon a larger scale than Figure 1 and particularlyillustrates the means for automatically operating the cutter or knifethat severs the loose end of the strap.

Figure 4 is a section through the lower portion of the machine takenabout in the plane of the line 44 of Figure 1 but showing portions ofthe toggle connection for operating the jaws in elevation. This viewalso shows the tension mechanism at the side of the machine in frontelevation.

Figure 5 is a plan showing the overlapped ends of a metal strap andshows its relation to the jaws or dies that form the tie, said jawsbeing shown partially in elevation and broken away so as to show thempartly in crossscction. I

Figure 6 is :1V section upon the same scale showing the same parts ofthe mechanism that appear in the upper part of Figure 4 but with theexception that while Figure 4 shows the operating levers in theirupright, folded position, Figure 6 shows the mechanism with the parts inoperation, and particularly illustrates the preferred details of themechanism for imparting the force to the jaws that form the tie.

Figure 7 is a horizontal cross-section through the mechanism taken abouton the line 7-7 of Figure 6, upon an enlarged scale.

Figure 8 is across-section upon an enlarged scale through a tie such ascan be produced by using this mechanism.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken about on the line 9-9 of Figure 4upon an enlarged scale, and further illustrating the tension mechanism,certain parts being broken away.

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken about on the line'1010 of Figure 9and further illustrating the tension mechanism and par ticularly theswing frame which is swung up automatically to enable the overlappedends of the strap to be received in the machine.v

Figure 11 is a vertical section through the tension mechanism takenabout on the line .1111 of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a section taken about on the line 1212 of Figure 9 furtherillustrating the details of the tension mechanism.

Figmre 13 is a vertical section through the tension mechanism takenabout on the line 13-13 of Figure 10 and further illustrating thismechanism.

Figure 14 is a front elevation of the tie forming mechanism with certainparts bro- ,kcn away or shown in section. This view is upon a relativelylarge scale and represents the rocking frame of the device in an uprightposition and also illustrates a short end of stock which has beensevered by the automatic operation of the cutter. This view alsoillustrates the connection between the rock ing frame and the tensionmechanism and shows the rocking frame in the act of swinging back asthough it had formed the tie.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the machine illustrated,it should be stated that in its general construction the machinepreferably includes a guide which can be positioned over the overlappingstrap ends and in this guide there is movably mounted a carriage whichis actuated with a step-hy-step movement, preferably through ratchetmechanism to cause the carriage to descend in the guide. Between thecarriage and the jaws which form the tie I provide means for increasingthe leverage exerted by the handoperated lever that actuates the jaws.For

this purpose I prefer to use a toggle connecdrawn position theoverlapped ends of the band may be introduced into the machine and heldin proper alignment ready for the guide to be swung back into an uprightposition. When the guide is swung back in this way, it carries with itthe jaws which are held apart and which come into position adjacent theopposite edges of the strap. Before operating the jaws the strap isplaced in tension by means of tension mechanism located at one side ofthe jaws.

One of the characteristics of my invention is that the machine isconstructed in such a way as to enable the tie to be formed inoverlapped ends of the strap which are not in tension although theentire band or strap is in tension. In order to accomplish this I locatethe tension device on one side of the jaws and the gripper or clutchthat holds the other end of the strap on the other side of the jaws.

According to my invention the tension device is constructed in such away that it is ca pable of assuming the receiving postion in whichposition it is set to receive the strap. In the operative position ofthe tension device, it is forcibly pressed down onto the strap and inthis position the tension device may be operated to develop the desiredtension in the strap.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the backward swingingmovement of the guide may automatically effect the movement of thetension device into its receiving position, and means is provided forautomatically throwing the tension device into its active tensioningposition when the tension lever is actuated.

In the present embodiment of the invention the loose end of the strap isautomatically cut off when the guideis swung up into its operatingposition preparatory to operating-the jaws to form the tie. WVhen thetension device is operated and the guide for the jaws is swung up intooperating position, the overlapped ends of the strap are aligned by anautomatically operating aligning device.

Furthermore, the cutter, or knife, that severs the loose end of thestrap maintains itself in its descended position and operates to pressdown on the severed end of the upper layer of the overlapped strap.

Referring more particularly to the parts, and especially to Figures 1and 2, the machine comprises a base plate or foot plate 1 which isadapted to rest upon the top of a box or bale or other article to whichthe tension strap is to be applied. To this base plate a rock frame 2 ispivotally mounted, preferably by means of two aligned pins 3 attached inlugs 4 projecting up from the base plate. The rock frame 2 comprises twooppositely disposed channel-shaped guides 5 which are expanded at theirlower ends to form enlarged heads or lobes 6 with laterally projectingears 7 that carry the pins 3. These channels 5 form guides on theirinner sides for guiding the mechanism that operates two jaws 8, whichjaws are pivotally mounted on a common pin 9 at about the middle pointof the heads 6. The upper portions of the jaws are formed into shortarms 10 (see Figure 1) which are connected with the actuating lever orlevers of the machine so as to swing the' jaws on their common pivot pin9 and force them together to form the tie as will be de scribedhereinafter.

The connection to the jaws is preferably a toggle connection 11,including two pairs of short links 12 pinned at their lower ends to thearms 10 of the jaws and connected at their upper ends to a common pin 13that attaches the links to the lower end of a carriage 14 (see Figure1), that is guided to move downwardly in the guide.

The upper end of the rock frame 2 is provided with suitable means forgiving the carriage 14 a step-by-step downward movement in the guide 5so as to operate the toggle connection and force the jaws 8 together.This carriage is preferably composed of two blocks, 14, which is anupper block, and 14", which is a lower block. The pin 13 attaches thetoggle connection to the lower end of the lower block 14 (see Figure 6).The blocks 14 and 14 are provided respectively with rocker pins 15 and16 which pa s through them (see Figure 7), and these pins are of largediameter but have eccentric heads 17 of smaller diameter, to which areattached links 18. In other words, there are two links, one on each sideof the blocks connecting the eccentric heads of the pins.

In addition to this I provide lever means for rotating these pins ontheir axes. This means preferably consists of two hand-levers 19 and 20having angular or square holes in their ends engaging over square shanks21 on the pins beyond their eccentric heads 17.

The sides of the blocks which are disposed toward the bottoms or webs 22of the channels of the guide 5 are formed with inclined ratchet teeth 23and 24, the ratchet teeth 23 cooperating with upper detent pawls 24amounted to rock on transverse pivot pins 25 in the upper portion of theguide. The ratchet teeth 24 of the lower block cooperate with bifur'eated detent pawls 26. In other words, the pawls 26 are double pawlshaving extensions 27 at their upper ends mounted loosely on the pins 25.These pawls all normally engage the ratchet teeth, any suitableresilient means being used for this purpose. In the present instance Iprefer to construct the detent pawls in such a way that when the upperpawls are released, the movement that releases them will automaticallyrelease the lower pawls. For this purpose the lower pawls 26 areprovided with inclined webs 28, which are in the path of the lower ends29 of the upper pawls (see Figure 6). With this arrangement it will beevident that if the lower ends of the upper pawls are rocked in anoutward direction to release them from the ratchet teeth, they willengage the inclined webs 28 and throw the pawls 26 to their releasedposition. The pawls 26 are normally pressed into engagement with theircorresponding ratchet teeth 24 by coil springs 30 respectively mountedin removable spring housings 31 that may be screwed into the outer sidesof the webs of the channels.

In order to hold the upper pawls 24 normally in engagement with theupper block, and at the same time enable them to be automaticallyreleased when the levers 19 and 20 are swung upwardly to the foldedposition indicated in Figure 4, I provide the upper detent pawls withtails 32, which extend over to the central longitudinal axis of theguide and are formed with sockets 33 on their upper sides that receiveheads 34 formed on the 1 end of two thrust links 35 that correspond tothe pawls, said thrust links being attached to a small rocking plate 36pivotally attached on a pin 37 that is fixed in ears 38 that extend upfrom the frame. In order to thrust the tails 105 32 apart to hold thelower ends of the upper detent pawls in engagement with the ratchetteeth 23, I provide a coil spring 39 around the pivot pin 37 and connectits ends respectively to the tails 32 of the pawls.

When the levers 19 and 20 are swung up into their folded position, asindicated in Figure 4, a laterally projecting lug 40 on the rock plate36 will be engaged by a depressed face 41 on lever 19 that will rock therock plate 36 slight- 5 ly in a right-hand direction. This movement,however, will create a downward thrust in link 35 and thereby cause therelease of the pawls 24. If desired, the levers 19 and 20 may beprovided with a small spring-actuated 1 0 latch 42 to latch them in thisfolded position, said latch operating as a snap-latch to cooperate witha pin 43 on the lever 20.

In the operation of the device it will be evident that if the levers 19and 20 are 125 rocked up and down, as indicated by the arrows in Figure6, the blocks 14 and 14 will cooperate with the pawls 24a and 26 tocause a step-by-step movement of the carriage in a downward direction.This will cause a 1:0

downward thrust on the toggle end 13, and

force the jaws 8 of the machine toward each other.

In order to limit the downward movement of the upper block 14 and causethe aws to release themselves automatically when the tie has beenformed, I provide the guide 5 with a transverse stop in the form of apost 44 (see Figure 6) that connects the flanges of the right-handchannel of the guide 5. This post is in the path of a lug 45 thatprojects outwardly at the lower portion of the upper block.

After the levers l9 and 20 have been operated to form the tie theyshould be swung up to their folded position, such as shown in Figure 4,and this will cause the automatic release of all the detent pawls, asindicated in this view. The blocks that form the carriage 14 may then bepulled up into their elevated or starting position, such as indicated inFigure 4.

One of the levers, for example, the lever 19, is provided with alaterally projecting car 46 (see Figure 6), that limits the swingingmovement of the levers toward each other. In this connection it shouldbe understood that the levers 19 and 20 are of hifurcated form (seeFigure 1). The lever 20 comprises two forks 47 that are located furtherout than the corresponding forks 48 of the other lever 19. The upperends of the levers 19 and 20 are provided with handles 49 for actuatingthe levers. When the levers are in this position the pawls are of coursereleased from the blocks.

At the right side of the jaws 8, as illustrated in Figure 4, a clutch,or gripper, device 50 is mounted on the base plate, which is in the formof a plate mounted to rock on a pivot screw 51, secured in a lug 52projecting up from the base plate. This clutch plate 50 has a dog, ortooth, 53 at one side which inclines toward the left and the clutchplate is provided with a compression spring 54 that normally holds thisdog 53 pressed down against the clamping face 55 on the upper side ofthe base plate. By pressing down on the up er end of the clutch plate 50it canbe rocked toward the right until it comes up against the stopshoulder 56, and

this will raise the dog from the clamping face 55 to permit one of theends 57 of the strap to be introduced under the gripping plate. Iftension is exerted in the end 57 tending to pull it toward the right,the gripping plate 50 will grip the strap end 57 and enable tension tobe developed in the strap by means of the tension device 58 which ismounted on the other side of the jaws.

This tension device is constructed so that the other end 59 of the strapend can be placed in it in a position to overlie the gripped end 57 sothat below the jaws there are two overlapping portions 60 of the bandwhich are not in tension. This is one of the novel features of myinvention, that the bands at the point where the tie is formed are notin tension.

The tension device 58 may have any suitable construction enabling thestrap to be placed in tension and held in tension when the tie isformed. I prefer, however, to construct this tension device so that itis capable of assuming a receiving position facilltating theintroduction of the strap by lateral movement into the tension device,and I also prefer to move the tension device automatically into thisreceiving position when the rock frame of the machine is swung towardthe left on its pivot pins 3, as viewed in Figure 1. For this purposethe adjacent head 6 (see Figure 2) is provided with an outwardlyprojecting pin 61 which operates to move the tension device into itsreceiving position. In order to accomplish this, the fixed frame of thetension device 58 is secured rigidly to an upwardly projecting lug 62 onthe base plate (see Figure 2). This pin 61 is shown in Figure 9 withother mechanism illustrating how it effects the movement of the tensiondevice to its receiving position.

For this purpose I employ a strut link 63 pivoted on pin 61 and having around head 64 received in a socket 65 in a rock plate 66 mounted on afixed pivot 67 on the frame 68 of the tension device. This rock plate 66has a laterally projecting short arm 69 (see F igure 1].) that engagesat its upper edge with an undercut catch 70 formed on a strut link 71,the lower end of which is pivotally attached on a pin 72 which issecured to a swing frame 73, which constitutes a part of the tensionmechanism. This swing frame 73 com prises two plates 74 and 75 connectedby the pin 72 and mounted to swing u or down on a fixed shaft 76 (seeFigure 11 mounted at the rear of the tension frame. A powerful coilspring 77 is mounted on the rock shaft 76 and exerts its force in adirection to press the swing frame downwardly toward the front of themachine. The swing frame 73 carries a tension roller 78 with a knurledface 'which is held through the agency of the spring 77 forcibly againstthe upper face of the upper strap end 59. This tension roller is carriedrigidly on a shaft 79 that is rotated by means of a ratchet and pawldevice. In

order to enable the shaft 79 to rotate the tension roller 78, the shafthas an enlarged neck 80 with flat side faces 81 that fits into acorrespondingly shaped opening in the roller 78.

The end, of this shaft 79 that is disposed toward the jaws 8 of themachine is provided with a ratchet wheel 82 (see Figure 12) fitting on aflat-sided neck 83 on the shaft, and beyond this flat-sided neck 83 andto the right of it, as illustrated in Figure 13, a tension lever 84 isattached, said tension lever being bifurcated at the point where itattaches to the shaft so that it presents two separated forks 85. Thistension lever is of course loose on the shaft 79. It is rovided with anactuating pawl 86' (see igure 12), whlch is pressed by a spring 87 tohold it in engagement with inclined teeth of the ratchet wheel 82. Onthe frame 68 of the tension device a detent pawl 88 is provided'tocooperate with the ratchet wheel 82 to hold it and the tension roller inany positon to which the roller is advanced by the tension lever 84. Inthis connection it should be understood that in order to actuate theratchet wheel 82, the tension lever 84 would move away from theobserver, as illustrated in Figure 9. The movement of the lever 84 awayfrom the observer rotates the ratchet wheel 82 by means of the actuatingpawl 86. A coil spring 89, located on the rock shaft 79 between theforks 85, exerts its force in a direction to return the lever 84 afterit has been actuated to rotate the tension roller. In other words, thisspring exerts its force in a direction to rotate the lever 84 toward theright as viewed in Figure 12. This spring performs another function thatwill be referred to hereinafter.

As already described, when the rocking frame 2 of the mach ne is rockedback into the position in which it is illustrated in Figure 1, themovement of the rocking frame will be toward the right on its pivot pins3, as illustrated in Figure 9. Th s will cause the strut link 63 to rockthe rock plate 66, and the finger, or short-arm 69 of this rock plate,will pull up on the latch link 71, and thereby swing the swing frame 73of the tension device up into its receiving position, at which t methe'face of the tension roller 78 will be held elevated.

I prefer to provide automatic means for releasing the swing frameautomatically when theratchet lever or tension lever 84 is actuated. Forthis purpose the tension lever is provided with a rigid laterallyprojecting arm 90 (see Figures 9 and 11). This arm at its end has adownwardly project ng inclined lip 91, (see Figure 11) that engages aninclined edge 92 at the upper end of the link 71. When the tension leveris swung in the direction of the arrow, as indicated in Figure 11, thislip 91 will rotate the link 71 in a backward direction and release itfrom the arm 69 of the rock plate 66. The spring 77 will then cause theswing frame 73 to move down so that the tension roller can engage theupper face of the upper strap end 59. The pin 72 is provided with aspring 93 that engages the link 71 and exerts its force in a directionto rotate the link toward the right as viewed in Figure 11.

In the operation of this mechanism it should be understood that when themovement of the tension lever releases the link 71 from the rockingplate 66, the link 71 will be pulled down by the swinging frame 73 sothat the forward edge 94 of the link 71 will lie against the inner faceof the arm 69 of the rock plate 66. With this arrangement itwill beevident that the link 71 will operate as a spring latch so as to swingout over the arm 69 as soon as the arm is again depressed, as it will bewhen the rocking frame 2 of the machine occupies the position indicatedin Figure 9. I prefer to provide a short slot 95 in the link 71 where itconnects to the pin 72 to permit some lost motion at this point.

In order to provide means for accurately aligning the overlap edportions 60 of the strap (see Figure 9) ,ii provide the base plate atthis point with an aligning shoulder 96, which operates as a stop forthe inner edge of the strap ends when they are shoved laterally intoplace. In order to insure proper alignment, I provide aligning meanscooperating with the shoulder 96, and this aligning means is in the formof a lever 97 (see Figure 9) mounted to rock on a fixed pivot 98 andhaving a notch in its lower edge with an aligning shoulder 99 at oneside and opposite to the shoulder 96.

When the swing frame 73 is in its receiving position this lever 97 isheld up with the shoulder 99 out of the path of the strap ends as theyare slid into place. Any suitable means may be provided for rocking thislever 97 automatically. In the present instance I accomplish it byproviding the swing frame 73 with an outwardly projecting finger 100(see Figure 10), that projects through an inclined slot 101 in the outerend of this lever. This lever 97 is pressed downwardly by a spring, forwhich purpose I provide the lever with a tail 102 which is engaged byone end of the spring 89 for the tension lever 84 see Figure 9). Bymaking the slot 101 inclined, the movement of the actuating finger 100is somewhat increased so as to give the necessary amount of movement tothe shoulder 99.

It is preferable to provide automatic means for cutting off the upperstrap end 59, actuated by the swinging movement of the rock frame 2 ofthe machine.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 3, I provide the base plate witha projecting rest plate 103, which constitutes the lower jaw of shears,the upper jaw being in the form of a swinging cutter or knife 104mounted to rock on a fixed pivot screw 105. This jaw 103 is slightlyelevated above a rest face 106 which supports the lower strap end 57.

The knife 104 is actuated by a short strut link 107 (see Figure 3) thatis. pivotally mounted at 108 on the outer side of the rocking frame 2,and this strut link has a round head 109 thrust in a socket formed on anarm 110 that projects up from the hub of the knife 104. In other words,the knife construction is virtually a bell crank lever, the arm of whichis actuated by the strut link'107. From this construction it will beevident that when the rocking frame 2 is swung toward the right, asillustrated in Figure 3, the knife 104 will sever the strap end fromitsloose end. When this operationoccurs the upper strap end 59 will lieon the shear 103, its inner edge being disposed against a stop shoulder111 that aligns it with the lower strap end 57.

In the operation of the knife 104, after it has cut through the strapend 59, it will descend and remain in a depressed position so that itsbeveled edge 112 will hold down the severed end of the upper strap end59 so as to hold it substantially against the upper face of the lowerstrap end 57. This mode of operation is made possible by the fact thatwhen the cutter 104 has reached the limit of its downward movement, thestrut link 107 will be substantially on its dead center.

The j aws" 8 that form the tie of the character illustrated in Figure 8may have the general characteristic construction illustrated in Figures1 and 5, that is to say, the jaws are provided with two removable dies113 which have two sockets, 114, facing each other and the adjacentfaces of the dies are formed with fingers 115 arranged so that thefingers on one die lie opposite to corresponding recesses 116 in theopposite die. This permits the dies to come close together and enablesthe forming edges 117 of the dies to cooperate to bend the overlappingstrap ends into two rolls, as illustrated in Figure 8, namely, an outerroll 118 and an inner roll 119. At the limit of the approaching movementof the' dies, the upper edges 120 of the dies offset the material of therolls, as indicated at the inclined faces 121, so as to form a tie suchas patented to me in my Patent No. 1,677,522, issued July 17, 1928.

If desired, the base plate of the machine may be provided with one ormore posts, such as the posts 122 that operates as a rest to support therocking frame 2 in an inclined position, that is to say, in a positionmore inclined than which itis illustrated in Figure 1.

The general mode of operation of the machine will now be brieflydescribed.

When the rocking frame 2 is swung to its inclined position, asillustrated in Figure 1, the pin 61 (see Figures 2 and 9) exerts athrust force in strut link 63, thereby rockin rock plate 66 and causingits arm 69 to pu 1 up on latch or link 71 (see Figure 11). This causesthe swing frame 73 of the tension device to swing up on its rock shaft76 so that it will be held in an elevated receiving position with thetension roller 78 held elevated. At this time also the upward movementof the swing frame 73 operates through the agency of the finger 100 andinclined slot 101 (see Figures 10 and 9), to hold the aligning lever 97in an elevated position. The strap ends 57 and 59 are then introduced bya lateral movement, the strap end 57 being positioned in the clutch orgripper device 50.

anna The strap. of course, has been previously passed around the articleto be strapped, for

example, a bale or box. After the u r to hold the dies 113 apart (see Fire 1) and elevated above the strap ends. e rocking frame 2 is thenrocked toward the right (see Figure 1), the rocking movement takingplace about the pivots 3.

As this movement takes place, the strut link 107 actuates the cutter 104to sever the loose end of the strap and the cutter 104'descendssufliciently to hold the u per strap end 59 down on the upper face oft elower strap end 57. At the same time the downward swinging movement ofthe rocking frame will bring the jaws 8 into position on each side ofthe overlying strap ends. The swinging of the rocking frame 2upwardly'will operate automatically through the medium of pin 61 (seeFigure 2) to swing the swinging frame 73 of the tension device upwardl(see Figure 11). This is accomplished through the medium of the strutlink 63 and rocking plate 66. This holds the tension deivce in itsreceiving position.

When the straps are properly aligned in this way, the tension lever 84(see Figure 11) is swung toward the left. The first part of thismovement operates to release the link 71 through the operation of thelip 91, and the inclined edge 92 at the upper end of the latch 71. Thispermits the spring 77 to force the swing frame forcibly down so as tohold the tension roller 78 firmly against the upper face of the upperstrap end 59. The continued movement of the tension lever 84 to and frowill operate through the action of the pawls 86 and 88 (see Figure 12)to rotate the tension roller and place the strap in tension.

In this connection it should be understood that the frictionalresistance between the knurled face of the roller and the upper face ofthe upper strap end is very high, whereas the rictional resistance ofthe lower strap end to the movement of the upper strap end is veryslight; hence the upper strap end can slide freely on the lower strapend in developing different tension. In this connection attention iscalled to Fi re 11, indicating that the pivot or rock s aft 76 for theswing frame is located toward the left of the shaft 79 of the tensionroller 78. By reason of this the tension developed in the strap exerts apull on the swing frame which would tend to move the roller 78 towardthe left. This gives the swing frame and roller the effect of a clutchwhich jams if the tension is increased instead of releasing.

After the desired tension has been developed in the strap, the leverhandles 49 are unlatched from the latch 42 (see Figure 4) and the twobifurcated levers l9 and 20 are swung up and down (see Figure 6). Thiswill cause the eccentric pins and 16 to ro- 5 tate in the blocks 14 and14 the eccentric necks of the pins cooperating with the pawls 29 and 26to cause the blocks to move downwardly with a step-by-step movement.This will operate through the toggle connection 11 to force the jaws 8in a direction to cause the dies 113 to come together and form the tieillustrated in Figure 8.

When the jaws have completed the formation of the tie, the stop shoulder45 (see Figure 6) on the upper block will come against the stop post4:4: and stop further downward movement of the upper block. Hence on thenext movement of the levers the upper block will cause the lower blockto be pulled up so slightly, which will release the jaws from the formedtie. After this occurs, the two levers 19 and 20 should be folded upinto their folded position illustrated in Figure 4. When this occurs thelever 19 will operate the rock 95 plate 36 which, through the operationof the strut links 35, will release the upper detent pawls 24 from theupper block. This release movement of the upper detent pawls 24, throughthe operation of their lower ends 29, and the inclined webs 28, willthrow the lower detent pawls also to their released position, (seeFigure 4). The rocking frame 2 can then be swung down onto the post orposts 122 so as to raise the dies out of the way and permit the baseplate to be slid back away from the tie band or strap.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described hereinis only one of the many embodiments this invention may take, and I donot wish to be limited in the practice of the invention, nor in theclaims, to the particular embodiment set forth.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a frame. a pair ofjaws mounted in theframe for engaging the overlapping strap ends to form the tie, aratchet-mechanism including lever means, and a toggle connection betweenthe ratchet-mechanism and the jaws for forcing the jaws together to formthe tie.

2. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a frame having a guideway, aratchetanechanism with blocks movable along the guide toward the bindingstraps. jaws with a toggle connection between the blocks and the jaws.and lever means cooperating with the blocks to force the same downwardland actuate the jaws through the toggle connection.

In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metal bindingstraps. the

combination of a frame having a guide, a

carriage guided in the guide and including a part with rack teeththereon, detent means cooperating with the rack teeth to hold thecarriage against return after it is forced down, lever mechanismcooperating with the carriage to advance the same down along the guide.with a step-by-step movement aws for forming the tie in the bindingstraps, and means connecting the carriage with the jaws to actuate thesame.

4-. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carrlageguided in the guide and including a part with rack teeth thereon, detentmeans cooperating with the rack teeth to hold the carriage againstreturn after it is forced down, lever mechan sm cooperating with thecarriage to advance the same down along the guide with a step-by-stepmovement, jaws for forming the tie in the binding straps, and a toggleconnection between the carriage and the jaws for actuating the same.

5. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a pair ofblocks one above the other guided in the said guide, said blocks havingratchet teeth,

detent pawls carried on the frame to cooperate with the ratchet teeth tolock the blocks against upward movement. pins rotatably mounted in theblocks and having eccentric headswith links connecting the eccentricheads, and levers on the p ns for rotating the same and cooperating withthe said blocks and pawls to cause. the blocks to move downwardly in theguide. a pair of jaws for engaging the strap ends to form the tie, and atoggle connection between the lower block and the aws for actuating thesame.

6. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps. the combination of a frame having a guide. a carriageguided in the guide and including a part with rack teeth thereon, levermechanism cooperating with the carriage to advance the. same along theguide, jaws for forming the tie in the binding straps, a toggleconnection between the carriage and the jaws for actuating the same, anddetent pawls cooperating with the carriageto hold the same againstupward movement, and means for locking the detent pawls in aninoperative position.

7. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps. the combination of a frame having a guide. a pair ofblocks one above the other guided in the said guide, sa d blocks havingratchet teeth, detent pawls carried on the frame to cooperate with theratchet teeth to lock the blocks against upward movement. pins rotatablymounted in the blocks and having eccentric heads with links connectingthe eccentric heads, and levers on the pins for rotating the same andcooperating with the said blocks and pawls to causethe blocks to movedownwardl in the guide, a pair of jaws for engaging t e strap ends toform the tie, a toggle connection between the lower block and the jawsfor actuating the same, and means actuated by the levers when in theirfolded position to move the detent pawls into their inactive position.

i 8. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carriagecom rising an upper block and a lower block guided in said guide to movetoward the binding straps, said blocks having ratchet teeth thereon, alever corresponding to each block, detent pawls for engaging the ratchetteeth to prevent upward movement of the blocks, means cooperatin withthe said levers and blocks to cause the b ocks to move downwardlv in theguide when the levers are moved to and fro, a pair of jaws pivotallymounted in the frame, and a toggle connection between the lower blockand the jaws for actuating the same.

9. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carriagecomprising an upper block and a lower block guided in said guide to movetoward the binding straps, said blocks having ratchet teeth thereon, alever corresponding to each block, detent pawls for engaging the ratchetteeth to prevent upward movement of the blocks, means cooperating withthe said levers and blocks to cause the blocks to move downwardly in theguide when the levers are moved to and fro, a pair of jaws pivotallymounted in the frame, a to gle connection between the lower block and te jaws for actuating the same, and a stop in the path of the upper blockto limit the downward movement of the same.

10. A machine for forming ties in the over- I lapping ends of metalbinding straps, the

combination of a frame having a guide, a carriage having an upper blockand a lower block guided in the said guide, pins rotatably mountedrespectively in the blocks and have ing eccentric heads with linksconnecting the same,a lever corresponding to each pin for rotating it inits block, said blocks having ratchet teeth, detent pawls on the guidecooperating with the ratchet teeth to prevent the upward movement of theblocks, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in the frame near the lower endof the guide for engaging the metal straps, and toggle links pivotallyconnected with the lower blocks and pivotally connectj ed with said jawsfor actuating the same.

11. 'A machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metal bindingstraps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a

carriage having an upper block and a lower ,block guided in the saidguide, pins rotatably mounted respectively in the blocks and havingeccentric heads with links connecting the same, a lever correspondin toeach in for rotating it in its block, said blocks aving ratchet teeth,detent pawls on the guide cooperating with the ratchet teeth to preventthe upward movement of the blocks, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted inthe frame near the lower end of the guide for engaging the metal straps,and toggle links pivotally connected with the lower block and pivotallyconnected with said jaws for actuating the same, said levers beingcapable of assumin a folded position substantially in line witfi thelongitudinal axis of the guide, automatic means operating when thelevers are moved to said folded position to move the pawls into aninactive position to release the blocks.

12. A machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metal bindingstraps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carriage having anupper block and a lower block guided in the said guide, pins rotatablymounted respectively in the blocks and having eccentric heads with linksconnecting the same, a lever corresponding to each in for rotating it inits block, said blocks having ratchet teeth, detent pawls on the guidecooperating with the ratchet teeth to prevent the upward movement of theblocks, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in the frame near the lower endof the guide for engaging the metal straps, and toggle links pivotallyconnected with the lower block and pivotally connected with said jawsfor actuating the same, the pawls for the upper block and the pawls forthe lower block being constructed so that the releasing movement of theupper pawls will move the lower pawls into their inactive releasingposition, and means for moving the upper awls into their releasingposition.

13. machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metal bindingstraps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carriage having anupper block and a lower block guided in the said guide, ins rotatablymounted respectively in the locks and having eccentric heads with linksconnecting the same, a lever corresponding to each pin for rotating itin its block, said blocks having ratchet teeth, detent pawls on theguide cooperating with the ratchet teeth to prevent the upward movementof the blocks, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in the frame near thelower end of the guide for engaging the metal straps, toggle linkspivotally connected with the lower block and pivotally connected withsaid jaws for actuating the same, resilient means associated with thedetent pawls for the upper blocks for holding the same in theiroperative position, and movable means connected with the upper pawls formoving them into their inactive released position.

14. A machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metal bindingstraps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carriage having anupper block and a lower block guided in the said guide, pins rotatablymounted respectively in the blocks and having eccentric heads with linksconnecting the same, a lever corresponding to each pm for rotating it inits block, said blocks having ratchet teeth, detent pawls on the guidecooperating with the ratchet teeth to preventthe upward movement of theblocks, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in the frame near the lower endof the guide for engaging the metal straps, toggle links pivotallyconnected with the lower block and pivotally connected with said jawsfor actuating the same, the detent pawls corresponding to the upperblock having tails with a spring connecting the same to normally holdthe upper detent pawls in engagement with the ratchet teeth of the upperblock, and means actuated by the levers when in their folded positionfor actuating the tails of the upper detent pawls to move the same intotheir releasing position.

15. A machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metal bindingstraps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carriage having anupper block and a lower block guided in the said guide, pins rotatablymounted respectively in the blocks and having eccentric heads with linksconnecting the same, a lever corresponding to each pin for rotating itin its block, said blocks having ratchet teeth, detent pawls on theguide cooperating with the ratchet teeth to prevent the upward movementof the blocks, a pair of jaws pivotally mounted in the frame near thelower end of the guide for engaging the metal straps, toggle linkspivotally connected with the lower block and pivotally connected withsaid jaws for actuating the same, the detent pawls for the upper blockhaving tails, a rocker pivotally mounted on the frame adjacent the saidtails, the said actuating levers being capable of assuming a foldedposition substantially in line with the longtudinal axis of the guide,and one of said levers having means for engaging the said rocker in thefolded position of the levers to move the said rocker, means connectingthe rocker with the said tails to release the upper detent pawls whenthe levers are in said folded position, and resilient means for normallyholding the upper detent pawls in engagement with the upper block.

16. A machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metal bindingstraps, the combination of a frame having a guide, a carriage having anupper block and a lower block guided in the said guide, pins rotatablymounted respectively in the blocks and having eccentric heads with linksconnecting the same, a lever corresponding to each pin for rotating itin its block, said blocks having,

ratchet teeth, detent pawls on the guide cooperating with the ratchetteeth to prevent the upward movement of the blocks, a pair of jawspivotally mounted in the frame near the lower end of the guide forengaging the metal straps, toggle links pivotally connected with thelower block and pivotally connected with said jaws for actuating thesame, the detent pawls for the upper block having tails, a rockerpivotally mounted on the frame adacent the said tails, the saidactuating levers being capable of assuming a folded positionsubstantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the guide, and oneof said levers having means for engaging the said rocker in the foldedposition of the levers to move the said rocker, means connecting therocker with the said tails to release the upper detent pawls when thelevers are in said folded position, resilient means for normally holdingthe upper detent pawls in engagement with the upper block, the detentpawls for the lower block having means engaged by the upper detent pawlsto release the lower pawls when the upper pawls are released.

17. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps encircling a box, the combination of a base plate, meanscarried on the base plate for placing the binding strap in tension, apair of jaws movably mounted on the base plate and capable of assumingan open position toward one side of the base plate, means for moving thejaws laterally in a direction ex tending in'a plane transverse to thedirection in which the strap ends extend and across the overlapped strapends while the jaws are in their open position, enabling the aws to comeinto position on opposite sides of the strap ends while lying over theupper face of the box, automatic means for cutting off the loose end ofthe binding strap beyond the jaws, actuated by the said lateral movementof the jaws, and means for actuating the jaws thereafter to form thetie.

18. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps encircling a box, the combination of a baseplate torestupon a horizontal support and adjacent the overlapping strap ends, arockframe movably supported on the base-plate to swing in a planetransverse to the direction in which the strap ends extend andsubstantially at right angles to the plane in which the strap ends lie,a pair of jaws movably mounted on the rock-frame normally held apart andcooperating with the rockframe to swing down and come into positionadjacent respectively to the side edges of the overlapping strap endswhile lying over the face of the box, automatic means for severing theloose end of the strap beyond the jaws with means for actuating the samewhen the rock-frame is swung down, and means for actuating the jawsthereafter to engage the side edges of the band to form the tie.

19. In a machine for forming ties in the overlappin ends of metalbinding straps encircling a box, the combination of a baseplate to restupon a horizontal su port and adjacent the overlapping strap en s, arockframe movably supported on the baselate to swing in a lanetransverse to the irection in which the strap ends extend andsubstantially at right angles to the plane in which the strap ends lie,a pair of jaws movably mounted on the rock frame constructed to en theside edges of the band to form the tie capable of being held apart andoperatin when the rock-frame is swung downwar ly to come into positionadjacent respectively to the side edges of the overlapping strap endswhile lying over the face of the box, a tension device supported on thebaseplate at one side of the said jaws and capable of assuming areceiving position to receive the strap ends and an operating positionfor placing tension in the strap, and automatic means for moving thetension device into its receiving position when the rock frame 1s swungu wardly to move the aws away from the over apping ends.

20. In a machne for forming ties in the I overlapping ends of metalbinding straps,

the combination of a base-plate to rest upon a horizontal support andadjacent the overlapping strap ends, a rock-frame movably supported onthe base-plate to swing in a plane transverse to the direction in whichthe strap ends extend and substantially at right angles to the plane inwhlch the strap ends lie, a pair of jaws movably mounted on the rockframe capable of being held apart and operating when the rock-frame isswung downwardly to come into position on opposite edges of theoverlapping strap ends, a tension device supported on the base-plate atoneside ofthe said j awsvand capable of assuming a receiving position toreceive the strap ends and an operating position for placlng tension inthe strap, automatic means for moving the tension device into itsreceiving position when the rock-frame is swung upwardly to move the awsaway from the overlapping ends, and automatic means for cutting off theloose end of the band on the side of the jaws remote from the tensiondevice actuated by the downward swinging movement of the rock-frame.

21. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a base-plate to restupon a horizontalsupport and adjacent the overlapping strap ends, a rock-frame movablysupported on the base-plate to swing in a plane transverse to thedirection in which the strap ends extend and substantially at rightangles to the plane in which the strap ends lie, 9. air of jaws movablymounted on the rockrame capable of being held apart and operating whenthe rock-frame is swung overlapping ends, and automatic means forcutting off the loose end of the band on the side of the jaws remotefrom the tension device actuated by the downward swinging movement ofthe rock-frame, and means for actuating the jaws thereafter to form thetie.

22. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a base-plate to rest upon ahorizontal support and adjacent the overlapping strap ends, a rock-framemovably supported on the base-plate to swing in a plane transverse tothe direction in which the strap ends extend and substantially at rightangles to the plane in which the strap ends lie, a pair of aws pivotallymounted on the rock-frame capable of being held apart and operating whenthe rock-frame is swung downwardly to come into position on oppositeedges of the overlapplng strap ends, a tension device mounted on thebase-plate at one side of the jaws and capable of assuming a receivingposition to receive the strap ends and an operating position for placingthe strap in tension, means for actuating the jaws to form the tie andfor opening the jaws thereafter, automatic means for moving the tensiondevice to its receiving position when the rock-frame is swung upwardlyafter formin the tie, a tension lever, and means actuate thereby forplacing the strap in ten- S1011.

23. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a base-plate to rest upon ahorizontal support and adjacent the overlapping strap ends, a rock-framemovably supported on the base-plate to swing in a plane substantially atright angles to the plane in which the strap ends lie, a pair of jawspivotally mounted on the rock-frame capable of bein held apart andoperating when the rockmine is swung downwardly to come into position onopposite sides of the overlapping strap ends, a tension device mountedon the base-plate at one side of the jaws and capable of assuming areceiving position to receive the strap ends and an operating positionfor placing the strap in tension, means for actuating the jaws to formthe tie and for opening the jaws thereafter, automatic means for movingthe tension device to its receiving position when the rockframe is swungupwardly after forming the tie, a tension lever, means actuated therebyfor placing the strap in tension, latching means for latching thetension device in its receiving position when brought to the receivingposition by the upward swinging movement of the rock-frame, andautomatic means for releasing the latching means when the tension leveris actuated to enable the tension device to move into its operatingposition.

24. In a machine for forming ties in the overlapping ends of metalbinding straps, the combination of a base-plate to rest upon ahorizontal support and adjacent the overlapping strap ends, a rock-framemovably supported on the base-plate to swing in a plane substantially atright angles to the plane in which the strap ends lie, a pair of jawspivotally mounted on the rock-frame capable of being held apart andoperating when the rock-frame is swung down to come into position onopposite sides of the overlapping strap ends, means for actuating thejaws thereafter to form the tie, a tension device mounted on thebase-plate at one side of the jaws and including a swin frame with atension roller carried there y, said swing frame being capable ofassuming an elevated receiving position to receive the strap ends and adepressed operative position in which the tension roller engages thestrap to tighten the same, automatic means for moving the swing frame toits elevated position when the rock-frame is swung upwardly to removethe jaws from the strap ends after the tie has been formed, latchingmeans to cooperate with the swin frame to latch the same in an elevatedposition when brought to the receiving position by the upward swingingmovement of the rock-frame, a tension lever with means actuated therebyfor actuating the tension roller to place the strap in tension, andautomatic means actuated by the tension lever to operate the latchingmeans to release the swing frame and permit the same to move into itsoperat ing position.

Signed at Los Angeles, Calif., this 6th day of April, 1929.

. LEO M. HARVEY.

